EDITORIAL

Illinois voters next month must decide who will succeed Jim Edgar as governor and lead the state into the next century. On the surface, the choice in the Nov. 3 election seems obvious -- if one were to view the race as a classic match-up between a reliable Republican stalwart, Secretary of State George Ryan, and a populist-leaning Democrat, U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard. But in this election, not everything is what it seems. For businesses seeking a more visionary, fiscally responsible administration -- and one dedicated to true tax reform -- the choice for governor is Glenn Poshard.

Our endorsement is weighted heavily to the candidate who presents the best chance for ending the state's reliance on property taxes to fund local government -- an unjust system equally punishing to both homeowners and corporations.

George Ryan has no plan (he equates a shopworn no-new-taxes pledge with "tax reform"). Glenn Poshard, on the other hand, has shown the courage to present a specific tax reform plan that also would provide a reliable, ongoing funding source for education. It is not perfect, mainly because of its reliance on the repeal of certain pro-business tax breaks. But at least it is a plan. Mr. Poshard's commitment to tax reform -- whatever form it will ultimately take -- appears unwavering. Mr. Ryan's is painfully undefined.

On the issue of fiscal policy, the candidates also present two distinct visions. Rep. Poshard, though a Democrat, has consistently proven to be one of Washington's legitimate budget hawks. His rating from the deficit-monitoring Concord Coalition is a strong 88%.

While Marion native Glenn Poshard evokes an old-fashioned, "don't buy what you can't afford" persona, Mr. Ryan's "let's make a deal" political pedigree is reason for great concern. He was lieutenant governor under the tax-and-spend Jim Thompson, and one can't help but draw parallels with his former boss. One of Mr. Ryan's responses when pressed on an issue: "I haven't closed the door on anything." That's what we are afraid of.

Mr. Poshard's education funding plan is also superior. Mr. Ryan's would dedicate 51% of the state's natural revenue growth to increased education spending. The plan sounds good, but puts school districts at the mercy of the ups and downs of the state and national economy. Mr. Poshard's plan, on the other hand, would guarantee $400 million by repealing the business tax breaks, tapping a budget surplus and cutting pork-barrel programs. Again, the plan has shortcomings, but it shows a focused candidate willing to put his cards -- and political capital -- on the table.

Mr. Ryan, on the other hand, seems void of conviction on the state's most pressing issues -- other than the feeling that, after years of serving his party, the man from Kankakee is entitled to inherit the gubernatorial mantle.

That's not to say there aren't concerns about Mr. Poshard. Topping the list are his ties to organized labor -- ties that can't be denied. But he has by no means been a lapdog of the unions, having supported most-favored nation status for China, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, welfare reform and a cap on punitive damages in civil lawsuits. And it must be noted that Mr. Ryan has been endorsed by what many consider the state's greediest and most politically active union: the Illinois Education Assn.

Finally, there are the intangibles, including how Chicago-friendly each candidate will be and the moral tone each will set for state government. On the former, it's a tie, with both Downstaters aware of Chicago's importance to the Illinois economy. On the latter, the edge clearly goes to Mr. Poshard, who has so far avoided any embarrassing episodes like the current federal probe into the sale of driver's licenses and questionable fund-raising practices in Mr. Ryan's secretary of state's office.

After 22 years of uninterrupted Republican control of the Governor's Mansion, and with the comfort that at least one house in the General Assembly will likely remain under GOP control, a Democratic candidate should not be feared. Provided that Mr. Poshard assembles a strong and savvy staff and cabinet, this is an opportunity to uproot an entrenched state bureaucracy -- and a Republican leadership that some say has become arrogant even toward business. It's time for new ideas and a new style in Springfield, and Glenn Poshard is the candidate who can best lead that change.